Peterborough Sports full of confidence ahead of FA Trophy tie, former boss quickly finds another job, major signing for Deeping Rangers
Interim manager Mark Ducket is confident the belief gained from an ‘exceptional’ win at Leiston on Tuesday night will serve them well in Saturday’s FA Trophy tie against Banbury at PIMS Park (3pm kick off).
Sports won 2-0 in Suffolk to move up to eighth in the Southern Premier Division Central table. Banbury are 17th in the same division so the city side should fancy progressing from a third qualifying round tie.
The win at Leiston took place just 48 hours after Sports had surprisingly sacked manager Graham Drury despite a five-game unbeaten league run, which has now stretched to six. Drury was axed after a 3-1 FA Cup reverse at lower level AFC Rushden & Diamonds, but has already found work as the new manager of struggling Northern Premier Midlands Division side Corby Town, one of his former clubs.
"It was a hectic 48 hours and a quick turnaround,” Ducket, who had been working as Drury’s assistant, told Peterborough Community Radio. “So I was super excited about the performance.
“I spoke to the players on Monday and some were very emotional, but they couldn’t wait for the next game to start. It was a good thing for us to have a game so quickly after an FA Cup performance that didn’t reflect the qualities we have.
"Leiston are a good side so to win 2-0 using a formation that was different to the last game was an exceptional effort. We needed leaders in the team and they delivered.
“Banbury will be tough. They have picked up a bit lately and they are a good side, but the boys should have plenty of confidence and belief after the Leiston win.”
Harver Williams missed Tuesday’s game because of illness and defender Ben Hart limped out of the match with a recurrence of a recent groin injury.
Sports have advertised the vacant manager’s position.
Bourne are also in FA Trophy action on Saturday. They have a tough tie at Alvechurch who are fourth in the Southern Premier Division table with a 100% home record.
Sports are back in league action on Tuesday when mid-table Redditch visit PIMS Park (September 29, 7.45pm).
Spalding United could go second in the National League North win a win at Chorley on Saturday, when there are local non-league games at Deeping Rangers, Yaxley, Wisbech Town and Whittlesey Athletic.
Deeping Rangers have signed former Peterborough Sports, King’s Lynn Town and Kidderminster Harriers striker Michael Gash ahead of their United Counties League Cup tie against Ashby Ivanhoe at the Hayden Whitham Stadium.
Gash was also a successful player-manager at Sports. He had joined higher level St Ives Town last summer.
FIXTURES
FA Trophy third qualifying round: Alvechurch v Bourne Town; Peterborough Sports v Banbury United.
National League North: Chorley v Spalding United
United Counties League Cup: Deeping Rangers v Ashby Ivanhoe.
United Counties Premier Division North: Leicester Nirvana v Blackstones.
United Counties Premier Division South: Coventry Sphinx v FC Peterborough; Yaxley v Rugby Town.
Thurlow Nunn Premier Division: Ely City v March Town; Wisbech Town v Brantham Ath.
Thurlow Nunn Division One North: Gorleston Res v FC Parson Drove; Halesworth Town v Holbeach United; Long Melford v Netherton Utd; Whittlesey Athletic v Needham Market Res.